How to Use a Daily Examination of Conscience Prayer Card

By House of Joppa | Published: 2026-10-29

Category: How-to Guides

Learn to pray the Daily Examen using a prayer card. This guide walks you through each step, from thanksgiving to surrender, for deeper spiritual growth.

Quick answer

Use the Daily Examination of Conscience prayer card to walk through St. Ignatius' five-step examen: offer thanksgiving, call on the Holy Spirit, reflect on your day, ask for forgiveness, and pray for grace.

Why a prayer card helps with the Daily Examen

The Daily Examen is a reflective prayer that can feel unstructured at first. A prayer card keeps the steps front and center, so you don't have to memorize the order or worry about missing a part. It also fits easily into a nightstand or Bible, making it a practical tool for consistent evening prayer.

When to pray the examen

St. Ignatius recommended praying the examen before bed, when the day is fresh in your mind. If evenings are chaotic, try pairing it with a quiet moment after dinner or right before your final routine. The key is a consistent time when you can be still and honest with yourself.

How to pray the Daily Examen with your prayer card

1. Offer thanksgiving: Begin by thanking God for the blessings of the day. Hold each gratitude briefly in your mind. Common mistake: rushing past this step. Take at least a minute to name specific gifts, big or small.
2. Call upon the Holy Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reflection. A simple prayer like 'Come, Holy Spirit, lighten my heart and mind' is enough. Checkpoint: if your mind wanders, gently return to this request before moving on.
3. Reflect on the moments of your day: Review your day from morning to night. Notice where you felt close to God and where you felt distant. Don't judge—just observe. Common mistake: over-analyzing or skipping this step because it feels uncomfortable. Stay with it for a few minutes. If you can't remember the day, start with the most recent event and work backward.
4. Ask for forgiveness: Honestly name any sins, failures, or missed opportunities. Then ask God for mercy. Checkpoint: avoid vague confessions. Be specific about one or two moments, then trust in God's forgiveness.
5. Pray for grace for tomorrow: End by asking for the grace to live the next day better. You can also pray St. Ignatius' Suscipe (surrender) prayer if your card includes it. Common mistake: treating this as a wish list. Keep it focused on one grace you truly need.

What you need

Daily Examination of Conscience - Prayer Card: Written by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the daily examen walks us through our day so that we can thank the Lord for his blessings, ask for forgiveness for our sins, and pray for grace to seek God for our tomorrows. This card gives you the exact prayer structure from St. Ignatius, so you can follow the examen without guessing the next step.
Daily Examination of Conscience - Prayer Card